JP2008535533A - Device for supplying volatile substances into the surrounding environment - Google Patents

Abstract

A device adapted to release a volatile liquid into the ambient environment. The device comprises a reservoir containing a volatile liquid in the form of two layers and a first and a second capillary element, the first capillary element being porous with respect to the liquid forming the upper layer only and the second capillary element being porous with respect to the liquid of both layers.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing volatile substances. More specifically, the present invention relates to a delivery device using a wick for evaporating and delivering volatile materials from a two-layer liquid to the surrounding environment.

  Supply devices using wicks for supplying volatile liquids to the surrounding environment are well known in the art. One very common type of such delivery device is in communication with a container containing an essentially volatile liquid and a porous substrate impregnated with this liquid and optionally having a large evaporation surface. Consists of wicks. Such a supply device uses capillary action to obtain a supply force. The wick acts to transport the liquid from the inside of the container to the surrounding environment where the liquid evaporates. These devices may additionally contain auxiliary means such as heating elements and / or fans. The liquid used in such a system typically consists of an active volatile material and a solvent in the case of a heating device or an unheated fan-driven device, and in the case of an unheated fan-non-driven device, water, It consists essentially of a solvent, a solubilizer and an active volatile substance.

  One problem with this system is that the generation of an aqueous-based liquid tends to clog the wicking material, reducing the efficiency of the device. Furthermore, in these systems, the service life signal (EOL) cannot be observed because generally viscous residues remain in the container. Furthermore, the presence of a particularly large amount of solvent is not preferable in terms of cost and environment.

  In order to solve these problems, some attempts have recently been made using solvent- and solubilizer-free aqueous liquid compositions, resulting in the use of bilayer formulations in conventional wick-based delivery devices. It has been. The problem with these devices is that simultaneous evaporation of both layers is not possible.

  It has been found that devices can be provided that at least partially solve this problem in the art. That is, the present invention is a supply device adapted to release a volatile liquid to the surrounding environment, and includes a container containing a volatile liquid in a two-layer state, and from the container, the first and the second Two capillary elements extend, each element having a lower part impregnated in both layers of the liquid and an upper part protruding into the surrounding environment, the first capillary element being only for the liquid constituting the upper layer The second capillary element is permeable to both layers of liquid, and the second capillary element has a barrier layer that is impervious to the liquid that constitutes the upper layer. The device is provided on a surface thereof.

The present invention further provides a method of supplying a two-layer volatile liquid to the surrounding environment by transporting the liquid from the container to the surrounding environment using the first and second capillary elements,
Each element has a lower part impregnated in both layers of liquid and an upper part protruding into the surrounding environment, the first capillary element is permeable only to the liquid constituting the upper layer and the second The method provides the method, wherein the capillary element is permeable to both layers of liquid and the second capillary element has a barrier layer on its surface that is impermeable to the liquid that makes up the upper layer. .

  The container can be made from any material commonly used in air cleaning devices, such as glass or plastic. Materials that are stable in the presence of fragrances, such as essential oils, are preferred. From this container, first and second capillary elements extend. They can be placed by any conventional means, for example, tight assembly in a liquid tight plug, blocking the orifice in the container through which the capillary element passes. Such a plug preferably includes a bend that allows pressure equalization. Alternatively, any means for homogenization may be used, such as a bent wick, as described in WO03092750, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The barrier layer that renders the second capillary element impermeable to the upper liquid can be in any suitable form, for example, a liquid coating applied to it that can be cured or dried, or It is a sleeve in the form of an adhesive tape, or a tubular member closely packed with any suitable material. The cylindrical member is, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, PETG (polyethylene glycol terephthalate), BP chemicals ltd. Barex® resin, polyester or polystyrene. The barrier layer is impermeable to the liquids of both layers and can extend along the second capillary element to the extent that it only absorbs the liquid that makes up the underlying layer, i.e. the barrier is In order to be able to be reduced by evaporation at the boundary between the two layers, it extends a sufficient distance towards the liquid constituting the lower layer along only part of the second capillary element through which the liquid constituting the upper layer passes. May be present.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main portion of the lower side surface of the second capillary element is covered with a barrier material, and essentially only the cross-sectional area of the second capillary element is a liquid having no barrier layer. Is touched. The “main part” has at least half of the capillary element touching the underlying liquid, preferably 3/4 of the capillary element, more preferably the side is completely covered with a barrier material, with the liquid completely filled. Means that The given percentage refers to a filled device that has not yet been used to release volatile liquids by evaporation.

  In a further aspect of the invention, the first capillary element may be arranged so that it substantially covers the outer surface of the barrier layer of the second capillary element. The barrier layer may extend along the second capillary element as long as it absorbs only the liquid constituting the lower layer, that is, the main part of the upper and lower side surfaces of the second capillary element is the barrier. It may be covered only by a layer, essentially a cross section without a barrier.

  The volatile liquid forming the two layers consists of an aqueous phase constituting the upper layer and a hydrophobic phase constituting the lower layer. The hydrophobic phase consists essentially of fragrance. “Fragrances” are single fragrances or acids, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, lactones, nitriles, ethers, acetates, hydrocarbons, sulfur-, nitrogen-, oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds, polycyclic compounds and It means a mixture of fragrances selected from these and the like together with macrocyclic compounds, natural or synthetic essential oils. Such fragrances are described, for example, in S. Arctander, Perfume Flavors and Chemicals Vols. 1 and 2, Arctander, Montclair, NJ USA 1969. The fragrance may optionally include odorless liquids such as benzyl benzoate, isopropyl myristate, and hydrocarbon derivatives such as Isopar® from Exxon. The appropriate choice of liquid depends not only on the amount that can be used, but also on the nature of the fragrance that will be fully appreciated by those skilled in the art. Preferably, the fragrance comprises up to 25% by weight of these liquids, preferably up to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of hydrophobic phase.

  “Aqueous phase” means a hydrophilic liquid comprising at least 40% by weight of water, preferably 50-100% by weight, based on the total amount of aqueous phase.

  The ratio of aqueous phase to hydrophobic phase is determined according to the specific capillary element selected, but is preferably selected so that both phases are evaporated substantially completely simultaneously. Specific ratio values can be readily determined by those skilled in the art.

  The first capillary element that is permeable to the liquid that constitutes the upper layer can be made of any material suitable for transporting the liquid that constitutes the upper layer from the top to the bottom of the capillary element by capillary action. . Examples of suitable materials include polyolefins such as PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) or combinations thereof.

  A second capillary element that is permeable to liquids of both phases, an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase, can be made from any material suitable for transporting liquids of both phases by capillary action. it can. Examples of suitable materials include polyesters such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), cellulose and cellulose acetate and combinations thereof. Preferably, the second capillary element is made from cellulose. The second capillary element can also be made from polyolefins such as PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) or combinations thereof, which further makes it a suitable material for transporting both phases of liquid by capillary action. Take the following measures. For example, a second capillary element made of polyolefin may be mixed with an anionic surfactant such as sodium ether sulfate or a nonionic surfactant such as ethoxylated fatty alcohol, preferably 20 weights based on an aqueous solution. It can be achieved by soaking in an aqueous solution containing% and preferably obtaining a permeated material that can be dried overnight at room temperature before use.

  The shape of the capillary element is not critical. These can be square, rectangular, circular or annular parts as examples. The length of the capillary element is first determined according to the height of the container. It is preferred to select such that they can reach the bottom of the container, thereby evaporating the entire contents of the container.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid constituting the upper layer and / or the liquid constituting the lower layer contains a dye, preferably of an identifiable color. Once the volatile liquid reaches the end point of evaporation, the first and second capillary elements will have the same color, i.e. the color of the liquid that constitutes the upper layer. This visible signal indicates to the consumer that the product has been used up and needs to be replaced.

  Suitable dyes for the hydrophobic phase can be selected from Ciba's Puricor® Blue FBL5, Puricor® Blue ABL9, Puricor® Green U3 and Puricor® Yellow AYE23; Also, the dye for the aqueous phase can be selected from Wachher's Covasol Green W7039 and Clariant's Vitasyn® Orange RGL.

  The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for a feeding device using a wick, which further comprises a heating element. Furthermore, the supply device using this wick may have a fan.

  The invention will be further described with reference to the drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a delivery device using a wick comprises a container (1) containing a volatile liquid in the form of a hydrophobic upper layer containing a fragrance (8) and an aqueous lower layer (9), these The layers contain different color dyes. It is the two capillary elements in the form of wicks (2), (3) that extend the liquid from the liquid to the outside air through the opening of the container, and the wick is the upper part (5), (5 ′) And lower portions (4) and (4 ′) that touch the liquid. The wick material allows the wick (2) to absorb and carry only the liquid layer (8), while the wick (3) can absorb and carry both layers of liquid. select.

  The main part of the lower part (4 ') of the wick (3) is covered by a tightly assembled polyethylene sleeve (6) so that the liquid of the upper layer (8) does not penetrate into the wick (3). With the liquid fully filled, the sleeve (6) extends below the boundary between the layers, so that only the lower end (7) of the lower part (4 ′) of the wick (3) is the liquid layer (9). Only) and ensure that the liquid evaporates through it until most of the volatile liquid evaporates.

  In operation, the upper liquid layer (8) is carried through the wick (2) to evaporate and the lower liquid layer (9) is , Carried through the lower end (7) and evaporates from the upper part (5 ') of the wick (3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, this remains until the interlayer boundary falls below the lower end of the sleeve (6) of the wick (3). At this point, both liquid layers (8), (9) are carried by the wick (3). This is indicated by white arrows A ', B, while wick (2) continues to carry only the upper liquid layer (8) as indicated by arrow A. A noticeable color change appears in the wick (3) as a result of the lower end (7) of the wick (3) touching the upper liquid layer (8) and then liquid is transported through the wick (3). This means that the device has reached its lifetime and should be replaced.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, a delivery device using a wick according to the same operating principle as that described in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. The only difference is that instead of two separate wicks, the single wick system shown more specifically in FIG. 3B is used. The supply device using the wick comprises a container (11) containing a volatile liquid in the form of a lower liquid layer (19) and an upper liquid layer (18). Extending from the liquid through the container opening to the outside is a wick, which is assembled from a second capillary element (13) having a sleeve (16) tightly assembled at the sides. The sleeve is covered with a first capillary element (12). The choice of wick material allows the first capillary element (12) to absorb and carry only the liquid layer (18), while the inner capillary element (13) absorbs liquid in both layers. And made to be able to carry. The outer wick layer (12) is a tube through which a second capillary element in the form of a load 13 made of cellulose is guided. The cellulose rod is covered by a tightly assembled sleeve (16) to prevent permeation of the upper liquid (18).

  In operation, as shown first in FIG. 3A and as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 3A, the upper liquid layer (18) is carried through the top (15) of the outer wick layer (12) and evaporated therefrom, and The lower liquid layer (19) is carried through the lower end (17) and evaporates from the upper end (17 ') of the interior (13) of the wick.

  The description of the present invention was made from the viewpoint of supplying a fragrance. However, the device according to the invention can also deliver other components such as odor neutralizers, insecticides, insecticidal materials, antibacterial substances or mixtures thereof. These other components may be present in both layers, the aqueous phase and / or the hydrophobic layer. In addition to these principles of operation, the fragrance composition may include excipients such as dyes and UV absorbers.

  In a further embodiment of the present invention, the volatile liquid constituting the two layers is selected from odor neutralizers, insecticides, water-soluble liquids, materials having an insecticidal action, substances having an antibacterial action and mixtures thereof (singular) The component (s) comprise an aqueous phase comprising up to 60% by weight, preferably 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total amount of the aqueous phase.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows one aspect | mode of this invention of the state completely filled with the volatile liquid. In the aspect of FIG. 1, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows after the principal part of a volatile liquid evaporated. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line CC ′ in the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

Claims (7)

  A device adapted to release volatile liquid to the surrounding environment, comprising a container containing volatile liquid in two layers, from which first and second capillary elements extend. Each element has a lower part impregnated in both layers of the liquid and an upper part protruding into the surrounding environment, and the first capillary element is permeable only to the liquid constituting the upper layer The second capillary element is permeable to both layers of liquid, and the second capillary element has a barrier layer on its surface that is impermeable to the liquid constituting the upper layer, device.   The device of claim 1, wherein the second capillary element is made from a material selected from polyester, cellulose and cellulose acetate or combinations thereof.   2. The material of claim 1 wherein the material is further treated so that the second capillary element is made of polyolefin and is suitable for transporting both layers of liquid by capillary action. The device described.   4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first capillary element is made from a polyolefin.   The device according to claim 1, wherein the first capillary element is arranged so as to substantially cover the outer surface of the barrier layer of the second capillary element.   The first and second capillary elements are colored such that at least the upper layer of the volatile liquid contains a dye and once the end point of evaporation of the volatile liquid is reached, both capillary elements have the same color Item 2. The device according to Item 1.   A method of supplying a two-layer volatile liquid to an ambient environment by transporting the liquid from a container to the ambient environment using first and second capillary elements, wherein each element is both a liquid The first capillary element is permeable only to the liquid that constitutes the upper layer, and the second capillary element is in both layers. Wherein the second capillary element has a barrier layer on its surface that is impermeable to the liquid that constitutes the upper layer.

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